Ronnie Lee Gardner listens to proceedings during his commutation hearing at the Utah State Prison in Draper, Utah, Thursday, June 10, 2010. Nine days before he was set to be executed by a five-man firing squad, Gardner asked Utah's parole board to commute his death sentence to life in prison.
Trent Nelson / AP Photo
Family members of George "Nick" Kirk: Jamie Stewart, far left, Mandi Hull, and Barb Webb, react as the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announces their unanimous decision to deny Ronnie Lee Gardner's request for commutation on Monday, June 14, 2010 in Draper, Utah. Gardner shot and seriously injured Kirk in a 1985 court shooting.
Trent Nelson / AP Photo
Lynn Taylor, left, and his wife Donna, niece of Michael Burdell, who was shot and killed by Ronnie Lee Gardner, speak to the media near the Utah State Prison before the execution of Gardner.
Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
The Utah State Prison seen at sundown in Salt Lake City. Gardner, 49, was sentenced to death for a 1985 capital murder conviction stemming from the fatal courthouse shooting of attorney Michael Burdell during an escape attempt.
Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
Family and friends of Ronnie Lee Gardner gather in front of the Utah State Prison as they prepare to release balloons into the air shortly after the scheduled execution.
Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
Brandie Gardner, right, the daughter of Ronnie Lee Gardner, is comforted by close friend Debbie Evans just before the execution.
Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
Daniel Gardner, son of convicted killer Ronnie Lee Gardner, holds balloons with messages written on them as he waits for his father to be executed.
George Frey, EPA / Landov
Members of the media who were witness to the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner address reporters Friday, June 18, 2010 in Salt Lake City. Gardener was declared dead at 12:20 a.m.
Steve C. Wilson / AP Photo
The execution chamber at the Utah State Prison after Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad.
Trent Nelson / AP Photo
Four bullet holes are visible in the wood panel behind the chair in the execution chamber at the Utah State Prison.
Trent Nelson / AP Photo
